Colin Kaepernick has the right to protest as much as anyone else who lives in the United States. He is protesting in a nonviolent way and is actually harming no one and the response has been enormous. Some say he’s disrespecting those in the armed forces or just wants attention. Aren’t people in the military fighting for our freedom which includes the freedom to speech and petition? He has said he respects the military and honestly how much help is our government giving if communities across America identified 49,933 homeless veterans.

He is taking a stand because he knows that so many people of color have been murdered by police and he is in a position where he can reach thousands of people who sit on their couch to watch a classic American sport and also address issues that are relevant. He has influence and access to the media unlike the families and friends of the people who have been shot and killed by police. It’s interesting that people argue that he’s doing this for attention in a way he is but he wants to bring attention to the effects of police brutality, to racism and discrimination, to the lives lost without reason. He would not risk his career and reputation if he didn’t really believe in what he’s standing up for.

Some argue that Kaepernick hasn’t been oppressed or discriminated against. There is no way for us to know what he’s been through or what anyone else has been through. Black people and people of color can experience a range of discrimination from micro-aggressions to being shot for reaching for their wallet. The truth is it’s not for anyone to tell you if you’ve been oppressed or not because you aren’t that person and especially for people of color they have an experience completely unique to themselves.

Patriotism is earned and if someone feels there isn't “justice for all” then you’re damn right they have a right to protest that.

CREDIT: DYLAN PETROHILOS/THINKPROGRESS

The fact is that there needs to be a major change. A badge and a gun should not give you free rein to pull a trigger . Where is the justice for these killings? The reasoning needs to be more concrete and plausible than “he looks like a bad dude” or “ I thought he was getting a gun.” They need to be held accountable for their actions; you don’t get a free pass because you’re a police officer to take a life especially when a person is unarmed, and defenseless. Of course most people agree that all lives matter but that statement is not true when people are being shot and the person who pulled the trigger is on paid leave in the comfort of their home. All lives won't matter until Black Lives Matter, Native American lives matter, Asian lives matter, Latino lives matter so we need to start acting like it.

When Mothers are telling their 8 year old black sons to be careful of police and telling them to “do everything they say”, “don’t put your hands in your pockets”, “say yes sir or yes ma'am”, “don’t walk to fast” “don’t reach in your pocket even if you say you’re getting your wallet”, “keep your voice calm”, “please be safe” there is a big problem. That is not trusting the police system that is supposed to keep us safe those are warnings given out of fear.

If you don’t believe there’s a problem with the treatment of people of color and minorities I dare you to go up to each of these victims families and say it to their face. Lives have been forever changed- everyone has the ability to stand up for those families and demand justice.

There has been a devastating display of police brutality and misconduct just in the past year and our daughters, sons, brothers, and sisters, are paying for it and there is no justice in that.